CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Sgt. Jeremy L. Hedrick holds a “D” ring fastened to a load of provisions for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan by a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion March 13, 2009.Hedrick is part of a helicopter support team that is tasked with preparing loads and ensuring they are rigged properly for airlift.
Hedrick’s primary duty is as an embark chief assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Sgt. Jeremy L. Hedrick (left) and Lance Cpl. Elliot Duncan rig a load of provisions for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan by attaching it to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.Duncan, who is assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3, is part of the helicopter support team.
The HST prepares loads to be airlifted, ensuring they are properly packaged and rigged to lift by air, as well as coordinates with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), to make sure the Marines at the FOBs in Afghanistan are supplied with the materials they need to succeed.
“Our mission is to support 3/8 and ensure the Marines at the FOBs receive gear to complete their mission, as well as ensure they have food and water,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jennifer J. Alderette, the landing support platoon commander, assigned to Support Company, CLB-3.
The team has completed 65 successful air lifts since it arrived in Afghanistan in November 2008, totaling 474,425 pounds of cargo. The airlifts are used as an alternative to delivering supplies by truck when time is of the essence.
“HSTs are faster, and we’re not putting as many Marines on the ground or in danger,” Alderette said of delivering supplies by air. “It’s exciting knowing the fact that we’re supporting the Marines at the FOBs who’re out doing the fighting and working hard to accomplish the mission and we’re the ones who are here to support them. It’s our way of contributing to the fight.”
CLB-3 is the logistics combat element, and 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
Duncan is the helicopter support team noncommissioned officer assigned to Support Co., CLB-3. Hedrick is the embark chief assigned to Headquarters Company, 3/8.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – At daybreak, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crewed by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 lifts a load of provisions packaged by the helicopter support team for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.The HST is assigned to Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, and is tasked with preparing loads, ensuring they are safely rigged for airlift.
A CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopter is capable of lifting up to 32,000 pounds, but for safety purposes, HST loads average between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds.
SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crewed by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 lifts a load of provisions rigged by the helicopter support team for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.
The HST is assigned to Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, and is tasked with preparing loads, ensuring they are properly packaged and safely rigged for airlift.
A CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopter is capable of lifting up to 32,000 pounds, but for safety purposes, HST loads average between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds.
SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
